Tissue specimen encapsulation device and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A device for encapsulating tissue specimens includes a wand assembly, a sheath, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly pulls, draws, or otherwise moves the sheath about the tissue specimen. The wand assembly is disposed proximate to the tissue specimen, typically either adjacent or through the specimen. In an aspect of the encapsulating device, the guide assembly has sheath deployment members that are disposed about the tissue specimen. The sheath, which is attached to ends of the sheath deployment members and the wand assembly, is drawn over the tissue specimen as the sheath deployment members are pushed or pulled. In another aspect of the device, the guide assembly is an arm or a housing that rotates about the tissue specimen. The sheath, which is secured at one end to the guide assembly and at another end to the wand assembly, is drawn over the tissue specimen as the guide assembly rotates. The sheath may be made up of porous material, non-porous material, selectively permeable material, woven material, braided material, knit material, web material, mesh material, a film material, a flexible laminate material, or of an elastic material.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.09/208,535, filed Dec. 9, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,026 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Patent application Ser No. 09/057,303,filed on Apr. 8, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,166 and entitled BREASTBIOPSY SYSTEM AND METHOD, the contents of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to biopsy devices and, more specifically, todevices that encapsulate a tissue specimen.

2. Description of the Related Art

The prior art discloses numerous methods for surgically removing aninternal tissue specimen from a target body. Techniques and therequisite medical devices exist to remove tissue specimens of all sizes.A basic technique is to make an incision proximate to the area of thetissue specimen and excise it with a scalpel. This technique can beextremely invasive, result in trauma to proximate tissue and a maximumamount of scar tissue, and leads to additional healthy tissue beingremoved unnecessarily.

The prior art also discloses techniques and methods that are lessinvasive than excising the tissue sample with a scalpel. As disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,788,709, a trocar is inserted into the target body, thetarget body is insufflated and the tissue specimen is severed. Thetissue specimen may be a cyst, a tumor, parts of an organ, a wholeorgan, a diseased portion of the body, a biopsy sample, or any otherspecimen that is desired to be removed.

The prior art further discloses many techniques for removing the tissuespecimen. Proper removal of the tissue specimen is critical. Cysts andother types of diseased tissue may spill into the surrounding tissue,resulting in inflammation and transfer of malignant cells or disease.Tumors or organs larger than the trocar need to be segmented forremoval, which also may lead to inflammation and transfer of malignantcells. The segmenting of the tumors or organs is technically complicatedand very time consuming. In certain methods, such as motor drivenmorcellators, there is a high danger of injury for the organs and bloodvessels in the body. Further, morcellators render the tissue specimenunusable for certain pathologies.

Devices and techniques for removing the tissue specimen while limitingthe transfer of malignant or diseased cells are also disclosed in theprior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,379 discloses a surgical tissue bag forpercutaneously debulking tissue. The debulking is performed by insertingthe bag through an access sheath into a body cavity, inserting asurgically removed tissue mass through an open end of the bag, closingthe end of the bag and pulling the closed end of the bag out of the bodycavity. The end of the bag is then opened and morcellating or debulkingof the tissue through the open end of the bag is performed while theremainder of the bag remains in the body cavity. The bag is made offlexible and foldable material and includes an inner layer of punctureresistant material such as nylon in either woven or solid layer form forresisting penetration by a surgical morcellating instrument. The outerlayer of the bag is made of a moisture proof polymeric material.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,521 discloses an entrapment envelope having a meansfor opening and closing. The entrapment envelope is constructed offlexible, low fluid permeability materials having sufficient strength tocontain morcellator entry, organ fragmentation and removal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,754 discloses a tissue isolation bag which expandsfrom a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration whenpressurized gas or liquid is supplied thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,483 discloses a tissue reduction device which isthermally activated and is used in conjunction with a tissue isolationbag. The tissue reduction member is in an expanded condition at bodytemperature but shrinks to a smaller specimen reduced configuration whenheated to a temperature above body temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,803 discloses a tissue segmentation deviceincorporated into an isolation bag for segmenting tissue during anoperation such as in laparoscopic surgery. The device includes one ormore loops of high strength wire which can be mechanically reduced inloop diameter to cut tissue into smaller pieces. The wire loops can beheated electrically to aid in the cutting through hard-to-cut parts ofthe tissue. The wire can be of a shape memory alloy which shrinks whenheated to form a smaller diameter loop.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,709 discloses a tissue specimen being removed with abag having a side opening and an end opening. The bag is inserted intothe abdominal cavity with the end opening of the bag remainingextracorporeal to a thread casing that extends through the abdominalwall. The tissue specimen is directed through the side opening and intothe bag. The bag is reduced in size to snugly hold the tissue specimen.The tissue specimen is then segmented. The bag has positioning pins tohold the tissue specimen in place in the bag during the segmentingprocess. The segmented tissue specimen is removed through the endopening.

The bags disclosed in the prior art for retaining the tissue specimenand performing various procedures on the specimen have the disadvantageof requiring a relatively large sized insufflated region to perform theencapsulation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,697 discloses a polyp removal device that severs andremoves the polyp. The snare is an electrically conductive cauterizationloop that is ejected from the end of an endoscopic assembly. Acup-shaped web member is also ejected from the endoscopic assembly end.The loop is placed over the polyp and the web member is opened up. Avacuum is applied to the web member to secure the polyp in thecup-shaped web member. Electrical current is conducted to the loop tosever the polyp from the patient, and the loop is closed. The severedpolyp is held in the web member by suction and is removed from thepatient. This device has the restriction of being used with polyps.Additionally, the entire polyp is not enclosed, resulting in possiblecontamination of tissue during the removal procedure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,282 discloses a surgical instrument to removeexcised tissue from an insufflated anatomic cavity through a body walloverlaying an endoscopic work space. A tissue grasping instrumentattaches itself to the excised tissue and the tissue is pulled through asleeve, or snake, which extends through the body wall. This device hasnumerous disadvantages, including the restriction of grasping the tissuespecimen, which may result in severing portions of the tissue specimenwhich in turn remain in the patient to cause inflammation, spreading ofdisease, and contamination by malignant cells.

Further, the cited prior art does not disclose devices or techniquessuitable for removing a cyst or a tumor from a region that is notinsufflated while minimizing deposition of cells therefrom into thepatient, such as removing a tumor from a breast.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects of the invention are met by a device for encapsulating a tissuespecimen prior to withdrawal from a body. The device comprises a wandassembly, a sheath, and a guide assembly. The wand assembly defines anaxis, an axial direction, and a radial direction. The sheath comprises afinal portion that is connected to the wand assembly and a secondportion. The guide assembly is connected to the sheath second portion,wherein the guide assembly is capable of positioning the sheath about atleast a portion of the tissue specimen. In an aspect of the invention,the sheath is made of one piece. In another aspect of the invention, thesheath is made up of a plurality of noncontiguous segments. In a furtheraspect of the invention, adjacent noncontiguous segments overlap whenthe sheath is positioned about at least a portion of the tissuespecimen.

The tissue specimen may take many shapes. In one aspect of theinvention, the tissue specimen is of a generally rotational form. Infurther aspects of the invention, the tissue specimen is generallyspherical, generally cylindrical, or generally ellipsoidal. Further, thetissue specimen may comprise a plurality of surfaces. The tissuespecimen may also comprise a surface of a partial rotation. In a furtheraspect of the invention, the tissue specimen may be a segment of agenerally rotational form. In another aspect of the invention, thetissue specimen is of a generally eccentric rotational form.

In an aspect of the invention, the guide assembly is capable of movingthe sheath second portion in the axial direction. In other aspects ofthe invention the guide assembly is capable of moving the sheath secondportion in a direction that is not the axial direction.

In an aspect of the invention where the guide assembly is capable ofmoving the sheath second portion in the axial direction, the sheathfirst portion is attached to the wand assembly. Further, the sheathextends from the first portion and terminates at the second portion. Thesheath second portion defines an opening in the sheath through which thewand assembly extends. The opening has a diameter that is at least amaximum cross second of the tissue specimen in a plane that is generallynormal to the wand assembly axis. In a further aspect of the invention,the tissue sample is positioned adjacent to the wand assembly and thesheath is positioned about at least a portion of the tissue specimen. Inanother aspect of the invention, the tissue sample is positioned aboutthe wand assembly and the sheath is positioned about at least a portionof the tissue specimen.

In an aspect of the invention, the guide assembly comprises at least asheath deployment member having an attachment end and a deployment end.The attachment end is attached to the sheath second portion with thesheath deployment member being arranged such that moving the sheathdeployment member deployment end in the wand assembly axial directionresults in the sheath deployment member guiding the second portion overthe tissue specimen. Aspects of the invention may incorporate anysuitable sheath deployment member including twine; cordage; filament;wire; a line; a band; a strap; a strand; and woven, braided, twisted,knit, looped, linked, metal, plastic, composite materials.

In an aspect of the invention, the wand assembly comprises a shafthaving a distal end, a proximal end, a mid-section therebetween, anoutside surface, and an axial hollow center. The shaft distal sectioncomprises an orifice extending through the shaft to the hollow center.The first portion of the sheath is attached to the shaft mid-portionwhile the sheath second portion is proximate to the mid-portion. Thesheath deployment member extends through the orifice and into the shafthollow center. The sheath deployment member has a first portion thatextends in the wand assembly axial direction from the attachment end tothe shaft orifice. The sheath deployment member has a second portionthat extends from the orifice, into the shaft hollow center, andterminates at the sheath deployment member deployment end. Moving thesheath deployment member deployment end in the wand assembly axialdirection and away from the shaft distal end results in the sheathdeployment member drawing the sheath second portion opening from theshaft mid-portion and toward the shaft distal end. In an aspect of theinvention, the sheath is positioned about at least a portion of thetissue specimen with the sheath second portion being proximate to theshaft distal end. In an aspect of the invention, the tissue sample isdisposed proximally to the wand assembly between the sheath firstportion and the shaft distal end. The tissue sample may be disposedabout the wand assembly or disposed adjacent to the wand assembly.

In another aspect of the invention, the wand assembly comprises a shafthaving a distal end, a proximal end, and an outside surface. Both thesheath first portion and second portion are proximate to the shaftdistal end. The sheath deployment member is generally oriented in thewand assembly axial direction and proximate to the shaft outside surfacewith the deployment of the sheath deployment member extending toward theshaft proximal end. In an aspect of the invention, at least a portion ofthe sheath is positioned in a hollow core that is at the shaft distalend. After encapsulation, the sheath is positioned over the tissuesample with the sheath second portion located distal to the shaft distalend. Additionally, the sheath deployment member extends from the sheathsecond portion and away from the shaft distal end. The tissue sample isdisposed proximate to the wand assembly and proximally to the shaftdistal end. The tissue sample may be disposed either about the wandassembly or disposed adjacent to the wand assembly.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, the sheath unfurls aboutthe specimen in a rotational manner. The guide assembly of the device iscapable of moving rotationally the sheath second portion about thetissue specimen. The axis of rotation of the sheath second portion maybe parallel to the wand assembly axis. In a further aspect of theinvention, the sheath second portion axis of rotation is generallyco-existent with the wand assembly axis.

In a further aspect of the invention, the guide assembly comprises awrapper assembly having a housing in which is disposed the sheath secondportion and a tissue covering portion of the sheath. The wrapperassembly is capable of moving about at least a portion of the tissuespecimen while depositing the sheath tissue covering portion thereon. Inaspects of the invention, the sheath tissue covering portion is disposedin the housing in a rolled manner or a folded manner.

In a further aspect of the invention, the wand assembly has a shafthaving a distal end, a proximal end, and a mid-point therebetween.Additionally, the wrapper assembly comprises a first end attached to theshaft distal end, a second end attached to the shaft mid-portion, withthe housing extending between the wrapper assembly ends. In an aspect ofthe invention, the housing comprises an arch shape portion. In an aspectof the invention, the wrapper assembly first and second ends radiallyextend from the shaft. In a further aspect of the invention, the wrapperassembly first and second ends perpendicularly extend from the shaft,and the housing is generally straight.

In a further aspect of the invention in which the sheath is furled by anarm that rotates about the specimen. The sheath first portion extendsalong the shaft and generally between the wrapper assembly first end andthe wrapper assembly second end. The tissue sample may be disposedadjacent to the shaft and between the shaft mid-portion and the distalend or disposed about the shaft and between the shaft mid-portion anddistal end.

In an aspect of the invention in which the sheath unfurls about thespecimen in a rotational manner, the guide assembly comprises an armthat is attached to the sheath second portion, the arm being capable ofmoving about at least a portion of the tissue specimen.

In a further aspect of the invention, the wand assembly comprises ashaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a mid-portion, and an outsidesurface. The arm comprises a first end attached to the shaft distal endand a second end attached to the shaft mid-portion. The sheath firstportion is between the arm first end and the arm second end. In aspectsof the invention, the arm may be arch shaped or the arm may have twoends that radially extend from the shaft. In a still further aspect ofthe invention, the arm has two ends that radially extend from the shaftto a connecting portion extending generally straight between the twoends. In a still further aspect of the invention, the arm has two endsthat perpendicularly extend from the shaft. In an aspect of theinvention, the sheath first portion generally extends between the armfirst end and the arm second end along the arm. Further, the shaft maybe hollow and the sheath first portion is disposed in the shaft. Thesheath may be stored in the shaft in a rolled arrangement or in a foldedarrangement in aspects of the invention. Again, the tissue sample may bedisposed proximally to the wand assembly, may be disposed about the wandassembly, or may be disposed adjacent the wand assembly.

Relative to any of the aspects of the invention, the sheath may becomprised of a number of different materials. The sheath may becomprised of porous material, non-porous material, or selectivelypermeable material. Aspects of the invention may have a sheath that iscomprised of woven material, braided material, knit material, webmaterial, mesh material, a film material, a flexible laminate material,or of an elastic material.

In an aspect of the invention, the guide assembly is capable ofpositioning the sheath about substantially all the tissue specimen.

In an aspect of the invention, an actuator device is functionallyconnected to the encapsulating device. The actuator device is arrangedto manipulate at least one of the components of the encapsulatingdevice, the encapsulating device components comprising the wandassembly, the sheath, and the guide assembly.

In an aspect of the invention, a tissue cutting device is attached tothe wand assembly and arranged such that it enlarges a passage for theencapsulated tissue specimen to travel through to exit the body. In afurther aspect of the invention, the tissue cutting device comprises acutting member with a first end that is attached to a midportion of thewand assembly and a second end that is attached to a distal end of thewand assembly. The cutting member extends radially from the wandassembly. In another aspect of the invention, the tissue cutting devicecomprises a cutting member that extends radially from a midportion ofthe wand assembly. Aspects of the invention may have the tissue cuttingdevice, and is some aspects the cutting member or cutting member,connected to a radio frequency generator.

In an aspect of the invention, the wand assembly is rigid. In anotheraspect of the invention, the wand assembly is flexible. In anotheraspect of the invention, the wand assembly is articulatable to enablethe wand assembly to be steered.

Objectives of the invention may also be met by a method of sheathing atissue specimen comprising the steps of disposing an encapsulationdevice near the tissue specimen. The encapsulation device comprises awand assembly, a sheath, and a guide assembly. The wand assembly definesan axial direction and a radial direction. The sheath comprises a firstportion being connected to the wand assembly and second portion. Theguide assembly is attached to the sheath second portion, wherein theguide assembly is capable of positioning the sheath about at least aportion of the tissue specimen. In another step of the method ofsheathing a tissue specimen, the sheath is positioned about the tissuespecimen portion by manipulating the guide assembly.

In an aspect of the invention, the disposing step comprises the step ofinserting a distal end at the wand assembly through the tissue specimen.In another aspect of the invention, the disposing step comprises thestep of inserting a distal end of the wand assembly adjacent to thetissue specimen. In an aspect of the invention, the positioning stepcomprises the step of directing the second portion over the tissuespecimen in the axial direction. In another aspect of the invention, thepositioning step comprises a step of directing the second portion overthe tissue specimen in a rotational manner. In a further aspect of theinvention, an axis of the rotational direction is parallel to the axialdirection. In an aspect of the invention, the positioning step comprisesa step of directing the guide assembly to move from a linear axialdirection adjacent the wand assembly, through a gap extending radiallyand axially to an outer surface of the tissue specimen, and over aportion of the tissue specimen outer surface. In an aspect of theinvention, the positioning step comprises the step of positioning thesheath about the entire tissue specimen.

In an aspect of the invention, the tissue specimen is disposed in abody. In a further aspect, the positioning the sheath step furthercomprises the step of drawing the second portion of the sheath through aperiphery margin about the tissue specimen. In aspects of the invention,the disposing step may comprise the step of inserting the wand assemblyinto either an insufflated or non-insufflated region of the body.

In a further aspect of the invention, the method further comprises thestep of withdrawing the wand assembly in the tissue specimen from thebody after the positioning step. In a still further aspect of theinvention, the withdrawing step comprises the step of enlarging apassage in the body through which the encapsulation device extends tofacilitate removal of the tissue specimen from the body. In a furtheraspect of the invention, the enlarging the passage step comprisessurgically expanding the passage. In a further aspect of the invention,the surgically expanding the passage step comprises radially extending acutting device from the wand assembly. In an aspect of the invention,the surgically expanding the passage step comprises radially extending acutting device from the wand assembly. In an aspect of the invention,the surgically expanding passage step comprises energizing a member ofthe guide assembly with a radio frequency generator and expanding thepassage with the radio frequency energized guide assembly member.

In an aspect of the invention, the disposing step comprises the step ofsteering the wand assembly to the tissue specimen, wherein the wandassembly is articulatable.

Objectives of the invention are also met by a device for retrieving atissue specimen from a body. The retrieving device has an axis, a distalend and an encapsulation assembly. The distal end is adapted forentering the body. The encapsulation assembly at least partially coversthe tissue specimen prior to retrieving the tissue specimen from thebody. In an aspect of the invention, the encapsulation assemblycomprises an axially disposed band that is actuatable in a radialdirection.

In another aspect of the invention, the encapsulation assembly comprisesa plurality of bands disposed along the device axis, the bands beingactuatable in a radial direction. In a further aspect of the invention,the bands have a distal end and a proximal end. The band distal ends areattached to a distal end of the retrieving device. The band proximalends are attached to a midportion of the retrieving device. Theretrieving device distal end is rotatable about the axis compared to theretrieving device midportion in order that the bands may be twistedabout the tissue specimen. In an aspect of the invention, a flexiblesheet spans between at least two of the bands. In a further aspect ofthe invention, the flexible sheet is a web.

Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulatingdevice that distally draws a sheath over a tissue specimen according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 shown without anouter sleeve, a sheath sleeve, and a sheath;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the details of the distal end of thedevice of FIG. 1 without an end cap, outer sleeve, and sheath;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 shown without anouter sleeve and with sheath deployment members and a cutting memberbowed radially outward;

FIG. 4a is a detail of a sheath deployment member in a ligature that isconnected to the sheath of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of the inside of a sheath deploymentmember cap of the device of FIG. 1 with the sheath deployment memberslooped about a sheath deployment member ring inside the sheathdeployment member cap;

FIG. 6 is a sectional radial view of the device of FIG. 1 in a targetbody with the sheath deployment members being partially deployed in aperiphery margin surrounding the tissue specimen;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are sectional axial views of the device of FIG. 1 withthe tissue specimen in various stages of encapsulation;

FIGS. 10a, b, and c are perspective detail views of different sheaths invarious stages of encapsulating a tissue specimen for different aspectsof the device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11a-d are side views of a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulatingdevice that proximally draws a sheath over a tissue specimen accordingto an embodiment of the invention, the device being shown at variousstages of encapsulating the tissue specimen;

FIGS. 12a-b are details of the device of FIGS. 11a-d;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating devicethat rotationally encapsulates a tissue specimen with a sheath whereinthe sheath is unfurled from a rotating housing according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14a-b are sectional views of the device of FIG. 13 at variousstages of encapsulation of the tissue specimen;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating devicethat rotationally encapsulates a tissue specimen with a sheath wherein arotating arm pulls the sheath from the interior of the device accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 16a-b are sectional views of the device of FIG. 15 at variousstages of encapsulation of the tissue specimen;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating devicethat rotationally encapsulates a tissue specimen with two rotating armsaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 18a-b are sectional views of the device of FIG. 17 at variousstages of encapsulation of the tissue specimen;

FIG. 19 is a sectional radial view of a biopsy tissue specimenencapsulating device that encapsulates a tissue specimen adjacent to theshaft of the device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating device forrotationally encapsulating a cylindrically shaped tissue specimenaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cylindrically shaped tissuespecimen that is encapsulated by the device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating device forrotationally encapsulating a truncated cone shaped tissue specimenaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the truncated cone shaped tissuespecimen that is encapsulated by the device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating device forrotationally encapsulating a multi-surface tissue specimen according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the multi-surface tissue specimen thatis encapsulated by the device of FIG. 24; and

FIGS. 26a-g are views of a non-exclusive set of various tissue specimenshapes that embodiments of the invention encapsulate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout the figures, and referring specifically toFIGS. 1-4, a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating device 10 according tothe preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of a wandassembly 12, a sheath 14, and a guide assembly 16.

The wand assembly 12 defines an axis 18, and axial direction 20, and aplurality of radial directions 22. The wand assembly 12 also has aproximal end 24, shown to the left in FIG. 1, and a distal end 26, shownto the right in FIG. 1. A midsection 28 extends between the ends 24 and26. The proximal end 24 is the end that is held by a user of the device10. Other embodiments of the invention may have the proximal end 24functionally connected to an actuator system, such as a control box orthe equivalent, that manipulates the device 10 per the directions of theuser (not shown). Further details of the actuator system are discussedbelow. The distal end 26 is inserted into a target body (not shown) andproximate to a tissue specimen to be encapsulated by the device. Thebody may be a patient of any species, live or deceased, or any othermass of matter that is distinct from other masses. The tissue specimenmay be a cyst, a tumor, parts of an organ, a whole organ, a diseasedportion of the body, a biopsy sample, or any other specimen that isdesired to be removed from the target body. In embodiments of theinvention, the wand assembly 12 may be rigid or flexible, and may bearticulatable so that it may be steered. In embodiments with a flexibleor articulatable wand assembly 12, the axis 18 is not linear, but rathercurves with the wand assembly.

The wand assembly 12 comprises a shaft core 29, shaft 30, a sheathsleeve 32 and an outer sleeve 34. The shaft core 29, shaft 30 andsleeves 32 and 34 are co-axially aligned and nested such that the shaftcore 29 is inside the shaft 30 that is inside the sheath sleeve 32 thatis inside the outer sleeve 34. The shaft core 29 and the shaft 30 extendproximally and distally beyond the sleeves 32 and 34 with the shaft coreextending proximally beyond the shaft. The sheath sleeve 32 extendsproximally beyond the outer sleeve 34 but the outer sleeve 34 extendsdistally beyond the sheath sleeve 32.

In the shown embodiment, the distal end 26 of the device 10 has a tip 38with a radio frequency (“RF”) powered member 40 extending diametricallyacross the tip. The RF powered member 40 may be energized such that thedevice 10 moves through tissue via ablation or electrosurgical incision,thus enabling the device to be inserted into the target body containinga tissue specimen to be encapsulated. Other embodiments of the inventionmay have other means for the device to enter the biological target, suchas lasers or other focussed light techniques, high pressure water,cutting with a sharp implement, cryogenic techniques, etc. Still otherembodiments of the invention may not have a component analogous to theRF powered member 40 but the distal end 26 may be inserted into thetarget body through a pre-existing passage (not shown).

In the shown embodiment of the invention, a sheath deployment roddeployment end 42 extends from the proximal end 24 of the wand assembly12. The sheath deployment member deployment end 42 is pulled proximallyin the axial direction 20 to deploy the sheath 14 about a tissuespecimen, as is described in more detail below.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 10 is shownwithout the sheath sleeve 32, the outer sleeve 34, and the sheath 14 tobetter show the guide assembly 16. Further, the shaft 30 and the sheath14 is removed to better show the guide assembly 16 and the shaft core29. The guide assembly 16 is comprised of push rods 52, sheathdeployment members 48, a sheath deployment member cap 54, and a sheathdeployment member deployment rod 56 terminating in the sheath deploymentrod deployment end 42. Other embodiments of the invention may have amember other than a rod, such as a member, functioning as the deploymentrod 56.

The push rods 52 of the guide assembly 16 extend axially in grooves 58in the shaft core 29. The shaft 30 fits over the shaft core 29 such thatthe push rods 52 may move axially and smoothly. The grooves 58, andtherefore the push rods 52, are circumferentially spaced about theshaft. While the shown embodiment of the invention has five push rods52, other embodiments of the invention may have more or less push rods.A proximal end 60 of the push rods 52 has a radially extending member 62that is designed to enable the user of the device 10 to push or pull therods. Other embodiments of the invention may have other arrangements toenable the user of the device, or the previously mentioned actuatorsystem, to push or pull the rods 52.

At distal ends 64 of the push rods 52 are ball-holders 66. Theball-holders 66 are u-shaped with the legs 68 extending radiallyoutward. Disposed in the ball-holders 66 are end-balls 70. The end balls70 are located at the sheath deployment member attachment end 71. Thesheath deployment members 48 extend from the end-balls 70 and through aradially extending slot 72 in the distally disposed leg 68 of theball-holder 66. The sheath deployment members 48 continue distally to asheath deployment member deployment end 74 in the sheath deploymentmember cap 54.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in the shown embodiment of the invention, thesheath deployment members 48 are slightly radially bowed and extend fromslots 51 in the shaft 30. Other embodiments of the invention may havethe sheath deployment members 48 not extending beyond the slots 51 ormay have the sheath deployment members below the shaft 30. FIGS. 2 and 3show the sheath deployment members 48 laying substantially straight andnot bowed, as they may be disposed in an embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention may incorporate any suitable sheathdeployment member including twine; cordage; filament; wire; a line; aband; a strap; a strand; and woven, braided, twisted, knit, looped,linked, metal, plastic, composite materials.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show grooves 58 extending to the shaft distal end 26.

Embodiments of the invention may or may not have the grooves 58extending all the way to the shaft distal end 26 from the shaft proximalend 24.

Details of how the distal sheath deployment member deployment ends 74are joined in the end cap 54 are shown in FIG. 5. The end cap 54comprises a cap top 76 from which extends axial extensions 78 from theperiphery in a proximally axial direction. Between each extension 78 isan access slot 80 through which extends the distal sheath deploymentmember deployment end 74. Each sheath deployment member deployment end74 is looped around a ring 82 that is disposed inside the end cap 54 andproximate to the cap top 76. The ring 82 is split and has ends (notshown) that abut a radially inwardly extending key 83. The end cap hasan axial hole 84 therethrough. The distal end of the sheath deploymentmember deployment rod 56 (not shown, see FIG. 7) extends through thehole 84 and terminates in a stop 86 disposed on the distal side of thecap top 76 (see FIG. 7).

Referring back to FIG. 4, the device 10 is shown without the outersleeve 34 to reveal the arrangement of the sheath 14. The sheath 14comprises the first portion 44 and the second portion 46 with a tissuecovering portion therebetween. The first portion 44 is attached to thesheath sleeve 32 distal end 90. In the shown embodiment of theinvention, the sheath first portion 44 defines a circular opening in thesheath 14.

The sheath 14 extends distally from the first portion 44 and terminatesat the second portion 46. In the shown embodiment of the invention, thesheath 14 is twisted about the shaft 30 much like an umbrella. Otherembodiments of the invention may have other arrangements for storing thesheath 14, such as folding the sheath. An opening defined by the secondportion 46 is large enough, when fully expanded, to encompass the tissuespecimen to be encapsulated. In embodiments of the invention without asheath sleeve 32 or equivalent, the sheath first portion 44 is attachedor otherwise connected to the wand assembly 12.

FIG. 1 shows the sheath second portion 46 extending distally beyond theouter sleeve 34. Other embodiments of the invention may have the outersleeve 34 covering the sheath second portion 46. Embodiments of theinvention may have the outer sleeve 34 proximally slide to facilitatethe sheath 14 unfolding during encapsulation of the tissue specimen.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 4 and 4a, the sheath deploymentmembers 48 are bowed radially outward. The bowing of the sheathdeployment members 48 occurs as the respective push rods 52 are distallypushed while the distally located looped deployment end 74 (not shown,see FIG. 5) of each sheath deployment member 48 remains static. Thepushing of the rods 52 moves the end balls 70 distally in the grooves 58and forces the sheath deployment members 48 radially outward. The sheathdeployment members 48 extend through ligatures 49 attached to the secondportion 46 of the sheath 14. As the sheath deployment members 48 bowoutwardly, the sheath deployment members slip through the holes 49 untilthe end balls 70 comes up against the ligatures 49. The ligature 49 is alooped end of a cord 85 that is embedded in the sheath second portion46. The ligature 49 is sized such that the end ball 70 cannot slidethrough it. Other embodiments of the invention may have other equivalentmechanisms and arrangements for attaching the sheath deployment memberattachment end 71 to the sheath 14.

Also shown in FIG. 4 is a bowed cutting member 88. The bowed cuttingmember 88 is shown as being similar to the four sheath deployment member48. The cutting member 88 is disposed and arranged in the device 10similar to the sheath deployment members 48. Initially, the cuttingmember 88 is not fully bowed. Using the fifth push rod 52, the cuttingmember 88 is forced radially outward through slot 51. In the shownembodiment of the invention, the cutting member 88 is RF powered, as isthe member 40 on the tip 38. Other embodiments of the invention may havecutting members that cut through tissue using other means. In someembodiments of the invention, the cutting member may be permanentlyattached to the distal end of the push rod 52. In other embodiments ofthe invention, the cutting member 88 may also function similar to thesheath deployment members 48 in drawing the sheath 14 over the tissuespecimen as described below. In still other embodiments of theinvention, there may not be element of the device 10 that functionsequivalently to the cutting member 88.

Now referring to FIG. 6, the device 10 is shown disposed in a targetbody 91 with the sheath deployment members 48 partially positioned abouta tissue specimen 92. The distal end 26 of the device 10 has beeninserted through the tissue specimen 92.

The method for positioning the sheath deployment members 48 about thetissue specimen 92 is that the cutting member 88 is positioned below theshaft 30 and bowed radially outwardly, thereby forming a channel 94 thatradially extends from the wand assembly 12. The cutting member 88 isfully bowed and extended when it reaches point 96, which is thebeginning of a periphery margin 98. The periphery margin 98 willeventually surround the tissue specimen 92. The device 10 is thenrotated in a counter-clockwise direction 100 to start forming theperiphery margin 98. Other embodiments of the invention may have thedevice rotating in a clockwise direction.

After the device 10 has rotated 45 degrees in the counter clock-wisedirection 100, the sheath deployment member 48 a is aligned with thechannel 94. The rotation of the device 10 is halted and the sheathdeployment member 48 a is radially extended into the channel 94 to point96. The rotation is re-initiated with the cutting member 88 continuingto create the periphery margin 98 and the sheath deployment member 48 afollowing behind the member in the margin. After the wand 12 has rotatedan additional 90 degrees, the rotation is halted and the sheathdeployment member 48 b is radially extended into the channel 94 to point96. The rotation of the device 10 is reinitiated with sheath deploymentmembers 48 a and 48 b following in the margin 98. A similar method isused to deploy sheath deployment member 48 c into the margin 98. Thismay either be done be hand or by directing an actuator system that isfunctionally attached to the device 10.

FIG. 6 shows the final sheath deployment member, sheath deploymentmember 48 d, partially radially expanded into the channel 94 with 315degrees of the periphery margin 98 having been formed. The remainder ofthe method of deploying the sheath deployment members 48 and forming theperiphery margin 98 comprises fully extending the sheath deploymentmember 48 d to point 96 and rotating the device 10 until the cuttingmember 86 reaches point 96, thereby fully forming the periphery margin98 and separating the tissue specimen 92 from the target body 91. Atthis point the cutting member 88 may remain bowed or may retracted atleast partially back to the shaft 30 by proximally pulling itsrespective push rod 52 (not shown in FIG. 6).

Referring now to FIG. 7, the sheath deployment members 48 are showndeployed about the tissue specimen 92. At the axial center of the wand12 is the sheath deployment member deployment rod 56. The sheathdeployment member deployment rod 56 extends distally through the sheathdeployment member cap 54 and terminates at the stop 86. The stop 86 islocated distally and adjacent to the cap top 76. The sheath deploymentmember cap 54 is located at the distal end 26 of the wand assembly 12with the axial extensions 78 extending proximally. The axial extensions78 are disposed against the interior surface of the shaft core 29. Thesheath deployment member deployment ends 74 are looped around the sheathdeployment member ring 82, which is located proximal to the cap top 76.The sheath deployment members 48 extend from the sheath deploymentmember ring 82 and radially out of the distal end 26 of the shaft 30.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 7, the sheath deployment member deploymentrod 56 is centrally located within the shaft core 29. The push rods 52are disposed in grooves 58 in the outer surface of the shaft core 29.The shaft 30 surrounds the shaft core 29. The tissue specimen 92 isdisposed about the shaft 30 toward the shaft's distal end 26. The outersleeve 34 is shown surrounding the shaft 30 and is located proximallyfrom the tissue specimen 92. The sheath 14 is disposed between the shaft30 and the outer sleeve 34 with the second portion 46 distally extendingfrom under the outer sleeve.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the sheath deployment members 48 are deployedabout the tissue specimen 92 but have not been released from the wandassembly 12. The end balls 70 of the sheath deployment members 48 aredisposed in the ball holders 66. The push rods 52 have been pushed to aposition proximal of ball openings 102. The ball openings 102 arelocated at the proximal end of each sheath deployment member slot 51 andextend through the shaft 30. The ball openings 102 generally correspondwith the proximal end of the tissue specimen 92. The sheath deploymentmembers 48 extend from the end balls 70, through the ball openings 102,through ligatures 49 extending from the sheath second portion 46, andinto the periphery margin 98 about the tissue specimen 92.

FIG. 8 shows the device 10 after the sheath deployment members 48 havebeen released and the sheath has been partially drawn into the peripherymargin 98. The push rods 52 are positioned to align the ball holders 66with the ball openings 102. In an embodiment of the invention, the endballs 70 may move out of the ball holders 66 and through the ballopening 102 once the holders and the openings are aligned. In otherembodiments of the invention, the ball ends 70 may move when the sheathdeployment members 48 have started being pulled through the peripherymargin 98 as described below.

To pull the sheath deployment members 48 through the periphery margin98, the sheath deployment member deployment rod 56 is pulled proximallyin the axial direction 20. FIG. 8 shows that the pulled sheathdeployment member deployment rod 56 resulted in the sheath deploymentmember cap 54 being moved axially from the distal end of the device 10.The moving of the sheath deployment member cap 54 resulted in the sheathdeployment members 48, which are attached to the sheath deploymentmember ring 82 in the cap, starting to be drawn into the shaft 30, as isshown in FIG. 8.

As the sheath 14 moves into the periphery margin 98, the sheath startsto encapsulate the tissue specimen 92. Further, in the embodiment shownin the FIGS. 1-8, the sheath sleeve 32 moves distally in the axialdirection 20 as it is being drawn by the sheath 14.

Now referring to FIG. 9, the sheath 14 is shown substantiallyencapsulating the tissue specimen 92. The end cap 54 has been pulled bythe sheath deployment member deployment rod 56 and is in the end cap'sproximal most position. The sheath deployment members 48 are disposed inthe shaft 30. The end balls 70 of the sheath deployment members 48 aredisposed against the shaft 30 at the wand assembly distal end 26. Thesheath sleeve 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) has been drawn to its distal mostposition when the tissue specimen 92 has been encapsulated by the sheath14. Prior to withdrawing the device 10 from the target body, the sheathsleeve 32 may be pulled proximally in the distal direction 20 (seeFIG. 1) to tighten the sheath 14 about the tissue specimen 92. The outersleeve 34 may be pushed distally to tightened the sheath 14 about thetissue specimen 92 also. In an embodiment of the invention, the outersleeve 34 may be in a more proximal position during the deployment ofthe sheath 14 to facilitate the sheath emerging from under the outersleeve during encapsulation.

In an embodiment of the invention, the biopsy tissue specimenencapsulating device 10 is manipulated directly by a user of the device.In another embodiment of the invention, an actuator system (not shown)may be functionally connected to the device 10 to assist in deployingthe sheath deployment members 48 and the sheath 14. The actuator systemmay be secured to the wand assembly 12 the push rods 52, and thedeployment rod 56. The actuator system may be able to axially rotate thedevice 10 and deploy the sheath deployment members 48 as described inconnection with FIGS. 6-9. The actuator system may also deploy thesheath 14 by manipulating the deployment rod 56 as described inconnection with FIGS. 7-9. Actuators systems in other embodiments of theinvention may perform one or more of the operations described herein.Actuator systems may be designed and constructed by those skilled in theart.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device 10 may be arranged suchthat the RF cutting member 88 remains outwardly radially bowed after thesheath 14 has encapsulated the tissue specimen 92. The cutting member 88may then be energized as the device 10 with the encapsulated sample 92is pulled out of the target body 91. The cutting member 88 cuts throughthe target body 91, thus creating an enlarged passage (not shown) forthe tissue specimen 92 to travel through while it is removed from thetarget body. In other embodiments of the invention, the cutting member88 is under the sheath 14 and slices through the sheath when energized,thus exposing the cutting member to the target body 91. The cuttingmember may be aligned with a commissure 111 of the sheath 14 (see FIG.10b). The now exposed cutting member 88 is energized and creates anenlarged passage for the tissue specimen 92 to travel through as itexits the target body 91. In another embodiment of the invention,another cutting mechanism, such as an additional RF cutting member (notshown), is projected radially from the device 10 and proximally from thetissue specimen. The energized, radially projecting cutting membercreates an enlarged passage as the device/tissue specimen is pulled fromthe target body 91. Other embodiments of the invention may have othermeans for creating an enlarged passage through which the device/tissuespecimen may exit the target body 91. Enlarging the exit passage for thetissue specimen 92 to travel through as it exits the target body 91 isto reduce trauma to the body. Embodiments of the invention may use anysuitable cutting device to create the enlarged passage, such as thevarious tools and mechanisms described in connection with the cuttingmembers 40 and 88, and including cryogenic techniques and laser or otherfocussed light techniques.

Now referring to FIGS. 10a through 10 c, different embodiments of theinvention may have different sheaths. Referring in particular to FIG.10a, the sheath 14 a substantially encloses the tissue specimen 92. Thefirst portion 44 a comprises seams 106 such that the first portion fitssmoothly over the proximal portion of the tissue specimen 92. The secondportion 46 a has been gathered together into folds 104 at the distal end26. The second portion 46 a is gathered into folds as the sheath openingat the second portion 46 a is round and wide enough to pass over anequator 107 of the tissue specimen 92.

Referring in particular to Figure 10b, the sheath 14 b is partiallydrawn over the tissue specimen 92. The second portion 46 b of the sheath14 b does not have a round opening as does sheath 14 a, but rather hasan opening 108 that is formed of peaks 110 and commissures 111.Referring now to FIG. 10c, as the tissue specimen 92 becomessubstantially encapsulated, the peaks 110 are drawn together andoverlap. In another embodiment of the invention, a fully extended sheathmay only partially encapsulate the tissue specimen 92, as shown in FIG.10b.

The sheaths 14 of other embodiments of the invention may be of othersuitable forms. In an embodiment of the invention, the sheath onlypartially encapsulates the tissue specimen. In another embodiment of theinvention the sheath may comprise multiple pieces such that the sheathis comprised of noncontiguous segments. The sheath may comprise porousmaterial, non-porous material, selectively permeable material, wovenmaterial, braided material, knit material, web material, mesh material,film material, flexible laminate material; and/or elastic material.

Now referring to FIGS. 11a-11 d, an embodiment of the invention is shownin which a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulating device 110 has a sheath112 that is drawn proximally over a tissue specimen 114 as opposed tothe sheath 14 that is drawn distally over the tissue specimen 92 in thedevice 10 previously described. As with the previously describedfigures, the proximal direction is toward the left of the FIGS. 11a- 11d and the distal direction is toward the right.

The device 110 is comprised of a wand assembly 116, the sheath 112, anda guide assembly 118. The wand assembly 116 comprises an outer sleeve120 that surrounds a proximal end 122 of a shaft 124. The wand assembly116 also has a distal end cap 126 at a shaft distal end 128. In theshown embodiment of the invention, the distal end cap 126 does not havean RF member that may be energized such that the device 110 movesthrough tissue, thus enabling the device to be inserted into the targetcontaining a tissue specimen to be encapsulated. Other embodiments ofthe invention may have an RF powered member on the distal end cap 126 orsome other means of enabling the device 110 to be inserted into thetarget, as was previously described in connection with device 10.

The shaft 124 of the wand assembly 116 has an outside surface 129 withaxially directed grooves 130 extending along it. Details of the grooves130 are shown in FIGS. 12a and 12 b. The grooves 130 are defined by gaps132 in an outer portion 134 of the shaft 124. The shaft outer portion134 is of a cylindrical shape and is mounted to and about a shaft innerportion 136. The shaft inner portion 136 is a cylinder. The axiallyaligned gaps 132 in the shaft outer portion 134 and the shaft innerportion 136 define the grooves 130.

The grooves 130 of the shaft 124 terminate at a shaft distal end 128 atnotches 140. The notches 140 are formed by the distal end 142 of theouter shaft portion 134 extending beyond the shaft inner portion 136.The notches 140 are shown with beveled edges 144. Other embodiments ofthe invention may have notches of other arrangements and configurations.

Sheath deployment members 146 of the guide assembly 118 are initiallydisposed in the grooves 130, as is shown in FIGS. 11a, 12 a and 12 b.The sheath deployment members 146 have a proximal end 148 with anextending member 150 for pushing the sheath deployment members distallyand pulling the sheath deployment members axially. The sheath deploymentmembers 146 also have a distal end 152 with a double ball ending 154that straddles a respective notch 140, as is shown in FIG. 12b, therebyanchoring the sheath deployment member distal ends in the notches. Thedistal end cap 126 of the wand assembly 116 is shown in FIGS. 11a and 12a disposed against the shaft distal end 128. By being disposed againstthe distal end 128, the distal end cap 126 prevents the double ballendings 154 of the sheath deployment members 146 from moving out of thestraddling position shown in FIG. 12b.

Referring now to FIG. 12b, the sheath 112 of the device 110 is stored inan interior 156 of the shaft 124 prior to use of the device. The shaftinterior 156 is defined by the shaft inner portion 136. The sheath 112has a first portion 158 that is slidably connected to a distal end caprod 160 such that the rod extends through the sheath. The distal cap endrod 160 extends proximally from the distal end cap 126, through shaftinterior 156, and terminates at a proximal end 162 that extends beyondthe shaft proximal end 122. Other embodiments of the invention may useother means for connecting the sheath first portion 158 to the distalend cap rod. Further, other embodiments of the invention may have thesheath first portion 158 attached to the shaft 124 or the distal end cap126. The sheath 112 is folded into the shaft interior 156 as is shown inFIG. 12b. Other embodiments of the invention may have the sheath storedin the shaft interior 156 in other suitable arrangements. The sheathdeployment member double-ball endings 154 are attached to a sheathsecond portion 164.

Other embodiments of the invention may have other arrangements forstorage of the sheath 112 and securing the sheath deployment memberdistal ends 152. In an embodiment of the invention, the sheath secondportion 164 extends radially beyond the shaft distal end 128 such thatthe second portion is secured in place when the distal end cap 126 isseated against the shaft distal end. In this embodiment, the sheathdeployment member distal ends 152 are temporarily secured in place whilethe distal end cap remains seated.

Referring specifically to FIG. 12b, the shaft 124 is axially centeredwithin the outer sleeve 120 by a bushing 166 that is in an annular gap168 between the shaft and outer sleeve. Other embodiments of theinvention may have other means for securing and/or centering the shaft124 within the outer sleeve 120.

Referring specifically to FIG. 11a, the device 110 is shown prior todeployment of sheath deployment members 146. The shown embodimentcomprises four sheath deployment members 146, with two sheath deploymentmembers being shown. The sheath deployment members 146 are in thegrooves 130 (as shown in FIG. 12a) on the shaft outside surface 129 in asimilar fashion to the sheath deployment members 48 in grooves 58 of thedevice 10. The sheath deployment members 146 extend proximally under theouter sleeve 120 with the sheath deployment member proximal ends 148extending past the sleeve proximal end 169. The sheath deployment memberproximal ends 148 are shown in a first position 172. The sheathdeployment member distal ends 152 are secured by the distal end cap 126as previously described. In other embodiments of the invention, eachsheath deployment member 146 may be made of one or more pieces.

FIG. 11a also shows the distal end cap rod 160 is also shown in itsfirst, or initial position 174. The distal end cap rod 160 extendsproximally from the distal end cap 126, through the center of the shaft124, and terminates beyond the shaft distal end 128. With the distal endcap rod 160 in the first position 174, the distal end cap 126 istemporarily seated on the shaft distal end 128 and the sheath deploymentmember distal ends 152 secured in place, as was previously described.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 11b, the sheath deployment members146 have been deployed to a radially bowed position. To radially extendthe sheath deployment members 146, the proximal sheath deployment memberends 148 are distally pushed to a sheath deployment member end secondposition 176, as is shown. The distal end cap 126 is still seated on theshaft distal end 128 and secures the sheath deployment member distalends 152. Therefore, the distal end cap rod 160 remains in the firstposition 174. The device 110 is shown without a tissue specimen in FIG.11b to more clearly show the deployment of the sheath deployment members146. During use of the device 110, the sheath deployment members 146would be deployed about a tissue specimen in much the same manner as isdescribed in connection with FIG. 7 either with or without a cuttingmember incorporated into the device 110.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 11c, the sheath 112 has beenpartially deployed about the tissue specimen 114. To release the sheath112 from the shaft interior 156, the distal end cap rod 160 is pusheddistally to a second position 180, thus unseating the distal end cap126. With the distal end cap 126 unseated, the double ball endings 154of the sheath deployment member distal ends 152 are no longer secured inthe notches 140. As the sheath deployment members 146 are pulledproximally, the double-ball endings 154 slide through the notches 140.As the second portion 164 of the sheath 112 is attached to the doubleball endings 154, the sheath 112 slides out of the shaft interior 156and over the tissue specimen 114. The proximally pulled sheathdeployment members 146 are shown in a third position 182, which placesthe sheath deployment member proximal ends 148 in a more proximallocation compared to the first position 172 and the second position 176shown respectively in FIGS. 11a and 11 b.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 111d, the sheath 112 has been fullydeployed about the tissue specimen 114. The sheath deployment memberproximal ends 148 are shown pulled to a final position 184, which is themost proximal of all the sheath deployment member positions. The distalend cap 126 is shown reseated on the shaft distal end 128, with thedistal end cap rod 160 being in its proximally located final position186. The seating of the distal end cap 126 secures the sheath 112 to theshaft distal end 128, which assists in preventing the tissue specimen114 from sliding distally relative to the shaft 124 as the specimen isremoved from a target body. Other embodiments of the invention may haveother means for preventing the relative distal sliding of the tissuespecimen 178, or not have such a means. The sheath second portion 164 isunder the outer sleeve 120 to prevent the sheath 112 from snagging onthe target body during removal of the assembly 110. Other embodiments ofthe invention may have the outer sleeve 120 be able to slide axiallysuch that the sheath 112 may be pushed up against the tissue specimen178 thereby snugly securing the sheath against the specimen.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 a, and 14 b, a biopsy tissue specimenencapsulating device 200 is comprised of a guide assembly 202 that iscapable of moving rotationally a sheath 204 about a tissue specimen 205.The device 200 comprises the guide assembly 202, the sheath 204, and awand assembly 206, which are analogous to the components of thepreviously described devices 10 and 110.

More specifically, in the shown embodiment of the invention, the guideassembly 202 is capable of moving rotationally a sheath second portion208 about an axis of rotation that is parallel to an axis 210 of thewand assembly 206. The guide assembly 202 is comprised of a wrapperassembly 212 that is shown in a radially bowed position in FIG. 13.Prior to insertion of the device 200 into a target body 214, the wrapperassembly 212 lies against a shaft 216 of the wand assembly 206.

After insertion of the device 200 into the target body 214, the wrapperassembly 212 is bowed radially outward. In some embodiments of theinvention, the wrapper assembly 212 is bowed radially outward by a pushrod (not shown) that is distally pushed. FIG. 14a shows the wrapperassembly 212 after it has been bowed and has passed through a radialmargin 218 in the tissue specimen 205.

The wrapper assembly comprises a housing 220 in which the sheath secondportion 208 is furled. The first portion 222 of the sheath 214 isconnected to the wand assembly 206. As the housing 220 is rotatedthrough a periphery margin 224 about the tissue specimen 205, the sheathsecond portion 208 unfurls from the housing 220 and encapsulates thespecimen, as is shown in FIG. 14b.

Referring now to FIGS. 15, 16 a and 16 b, a biopsy tissue specimenencapsulating device 230 is comprised of a guide assembly 232 that iscapable of moving rotationally a sheath 234 about the tissue specimen205. The device 230 comprises the guide assembly 232, the sheath 234,and a wand assembly 236, which are analogous to the components of thepreviously described device 200.

More specifically, in the shown embodiment of the invention, the guideassembly 232 is capable of moving rotationally a sheath second portion238 about an axis of rotation that is parallel to an axis 240 of thewand assembly 236. The guide assembly 232 is comprised of an arm 242that is shown in a radially bowed position in FIG. 15. Prior toinsertion of the device 230 into the target body 214, the arm 242 liesagainst a shaft 246 of the wand assembly 236.

After insertion of the device 230 into the target body 214, the arm 242is bowed radially outward. In some embodiments of the invention, the arm242 is bowed radially outward by a push rod (not shown) that is distallypushed. FIG. 16a shows the arm 242 after it has been bowed and haspassed through a radial margin 218 in the tissue specimen 205.

The wrapper assembly comprises the arm 242 to which the sheath secondportion 238 is attached. The first portion 252 of the sheath 234 isconnected to the shaft 246 with the sheath 214 being stored in theshaft. As the arm 242 is rotated through a periphery margin 224 aboutthe tissue specimen 205, the arm 242 pulls the sheath 214 from the shaft246 and over the tissue specimen 205, thus encapsulating the specimen,as is shown in FIG. 16b.

Now referring to FIGS. 17, 18 a and 18 b, a biopsy tissue specimenencapsulating device 250 comprises a dual rotational guide assembly 252,similar to the guide assembly 232 of device 230 but with two arms 254.Prior to use, the arms 254 are disposed in or on a shaft 256 with thesheath 262 being stored in the shaft. The arms 254 are radially bowedaway from the shaft 256 through opposing radial margins 258 in thetissue specimen 260, bringing with them second portions 264 of thesheath 262, as is shown in FIG. 18a.

To encapsulate the tissue specimen 260, the arms 254 are rotated aboutthe specimen in an approximately 180 degree arc, instead of theapproximately 360 degree arc of the device 230, pulling the secondportions 264 over the specimen and encapsulating it, as is shown in FIG.18b . In the shown embodiment of the invention, the sheath 262 may be intwo parts, with the sheath first portions (not shown) attached to eachother or attached to the shaft 256. Additionally, in the shownembodiment of the invention, the sheath 262 may be of one piece with twoopposing second portions 264 attached to the arms and essential not havea definite demarcation for respective first portions.

In another embodiment of the invention, a guide assembly may have twoopposing wrapper assemblies as is shown in FIGS. 13, 14 a and 14 b.Other embodiments of the invention may have more that two arms orwrapper assemblies, or a combination of arm(s) and wrapperassembly(ies). Other embodiments of the invention may also have acutting means, such as an RF member, preceding the guide assembly andforming the radial and periphery margins.

Referring now to FIG. 19, in the shown embodiment of the invention, abiopsy tissue specimen encapsulating device 270 comprises a shaft 272that is placed adjacent to a tissue specimen 274, rather than through atissue specimen as is previously described. Device 270 incorporates theuse of a guide assembly 276 that is similar to the guide assembly 232 ofdevice 230. The guide assembly 276 comprises an arm 278 to which isattached a second portion 280 of a sheath 282. The first portion 284 ofthe sheath 282 is stored in a shaft 272. As the arm 278 is rotated abouta periphery margin 288 surrounding the tissue specimen 274, the sheath282 is pulled over the specimen and encapsulates it. This embodiment ofthe invention may also incorporate the wrapper assembly 212 as shown inFIG. 13 instead of the arm 278. This embodiment may be useful inremoving small tissue specimens instead of a device that pierces thespecimen. This embodiment may also be useful for encapsulating tissuespecimens proximate to a boundary that is undesirable to disturb with arotating cutting member or other periphery forming device, such as atumor near the skin or an organ.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulatingdevice 300 is designed to encapsulate a cylindrically shaped tissuespecimen 302.

The device 360 for encapsulating the multi-surface tissue specimen 262comprises end 308, shown to the left, a distal end 310, shown to right,and a midportion 312 therebetween. The device 300 also has a guideassembly 313 comprising a straight wrapper assembly 314 with a first end316 that is proximally located and a second end 318 that is distallylocated. The first end 316 connects to the shaft midportion 312 and thesecond end 318 connects to the shaft distal end 310. The ends 316 and318 are shown as radially extending members.

To encapsulate the cylindrically shaped tissue specimen 302, the wrapperassembly 314 is rotated about a curved surface 320 of the specimen asthe sheath (not shown) unfurls from the assembly 314. In the shownembodiment of the invention, the flat, circular ends 322 of the specimen302 would not be covered with a sheath (not shown) unfurling from thewrapper assembly 314, therefore the specimen is partially encapsulated.Other embodiments of the invention may have ends 316 and 318 thatdispose end sheaths (not shown), over the specimen cylindrical ends 322.The end sheaths and the sheath covering the curved surface 320 may ormay not be unitary.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulatingdevice 330 is designed to encapsulate a truncated cone shaped tissuespecimen 332. The device 330 comprises a wand assembly 334 with a shaft336 having a proximal end 338, shown to the left, a distal end 340,shown to right, and a midportion 342 therebetween. The device 330 alsohas a guide assembly 344 comprising a straight wrapper assembly 346 witha first end 348 that is proximally located and a second end 350 that isdistally located. The first end 348 connects to the shaft midportion 342and the second end 350 connects to the shaft distal end 340. The ends348 and 350 are shown as radially extending members.

In the shown embodiment of the invention, the ends 348 and 350 are ofdifferent lengths. More specifically, the first end 348 that connectedto the shaft midportion 342 is shorter than the second end 350 that isconnected to the shaft distal end 340. With this arrangement, the ends348 and 350 and the wrapper assembly 345 complement a proximate circularend 352, a distal curved end 354, and a curved surface 356 of the tissuespecimen 332, respectively, during the rotation of the guide assembly344 during the encapsulation of the specimen. The encapsulation of thetruncated cone shaped tissue specimen 332 occurs in a manner similar tothe encapsulation of the cylindrically shaped tissue specimen 302 withthe device 300.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, a biopsy tissue specimen encapsulatingdevice 360 is designed to encapsulate a multi-surface tissue specimen362. The multi-surface specimen 362 is still of a rotational form, as isthe cylindrically shaped tissue specimen 302 and the truncated coneshaped tissue specimen 332. However, whereas there is only a singlecurved surface in specimens 302 and 332, the multi-surface specimen 362has a proximate curved surface 364 and a distal curved surface 366.

The device 360 for encapsulating the multi-surface tissue specimen 362comprises a wand assembly 368 with a shaft 370 having a proximal end372, shown to the left, a distal end 374, shown to right, and amidportion 376 therebetween. The device 360 also has a guide assembly378 comprising a bent wrapper assembly 380. The bent wrapper assembly380 complements the proximate and distal curved surfaces 364 and 366 ofthe multi-surface tissue specimen 362. The guide assembly furthercomprises a first end 382 that is proximally located and a second end384 that is distally located. The first end 382 connects to the shaftmidportion 376 and the second end 384 connects to the shaft distal end374. The ends 382 and 384 are shown as radially extending members. Theencapsulation of the multisurface tissue specimen 362 occurs in a mannersimilar to the encapsulation of the cylindrically shaped tissue specimen302 with the device 300 and the truncated cone shaped tissue specimen332 with the device 330.

In other embodiments of the invention, the wrapper assembly may be ofany suitable form to complement the curved surface or surfaces of aspecific tissue specimen. Further, the wrapper assembly may be at leastpartially curved in some embodiments of the invention. In the shownembodiments of the invention, the first and second ends of the wrapperassembly are parallel. In other embodiments of the invention, the endsmay not be parallel. In the shown embodiments of the invention, thefirst and second ends of the wrapper assembly are straight. In otherembodiments of the invention, the ends may be of any shape and maycomprise more than one element. In other embodiments of the invention,there may be only one end comprising an extending member. In someembodiments of the invention, cutting means, such as an RF member, maybe incorporated to lead the guide assembly during the encapsulation toform the periphery margin about a tissue specimen, as was previouslydescribed.

Other embodiments of the invention may at least partially encapsulate anumber of different tissue specimen shapes. Referring now to FIGS.26a-g, a non-exclusive set of examples of different tissue specimenshapes are shown.

Embodiments of the invention may encapsulate tissue specimens of partialrotations or full rotations that have been segmented or otherwisesectioned. In FIG. 26a, an axially-halved cylindrically shaped tissuespecimen 400 has a curved surface 402 that extends between a circularperimeter 404 of two half circular ends 406 and between the longitudinaledges 408 of a rectangular surface (not shown) that extends through thespecimen's major axis 410. The tissue specimen 400 may be the result offull cylindrical tissue specimen that was axially split or the result ofa partial rotation. In an embodiment of the invention, the encapsulatingdevice (not shown) may deploy the guide assembly radially, accomplish a180 degree rotation, and retract the guide assembly to the shaft of thedevice.

In FIG. 26b, a tissue specimen 412 having the shape of a segment of acylinder has a partial curved cylindrical surface 414 extending betweena circular perimeter 416 of two circular segment ends 418 and betweenthe longitudinal edges 420 of two rectangular surfaces 422 that form anangle 424 at the major axis 426 of the full cylindrical form (notshown). While the tissue specimen 412 depicts the angle 424 having lessthan 180 degrees, embodiments of the invention may also encapsulatespecimens with an angle of greater than 180 degrees. The tissue specimen412 may be encapsulated in a manner similar to that described inconnection with the axially-halved cylindrically shaped tissue specimen400.

In FIG. 26c, a tissue specimen 428 having the shape of a segment of asphere has a partial curved spherical surface 430 bounded by a circularperimeter edge 432 of two half circular sides 434 that form an angle 436at the axis 438 of the full spherical shape (not shown). The angle 436may be less than or greater than 180 degrees.

In embodiments of the invention, the encapsulation of tissue specimensof partial rotations may be practiced for a number reasons. One suchreason is that the partial rotation tissue specimen is more desirable toremove from the target body than a whole rotation tissue specimen from astand point of reducing trauma to the target body. Another reason isthat the shape and/or location of a lesion in the tissue specimen lendsitself to be surrounded by partial rotation.

Referring now to FIGS. 26d-g, embodiments of the invention mayencapsulate an eccentric rotation tissue specimen 440, an irregularsurface rotational tissue specimen 442, an oblate ellipsoid tissuespecimen 444, and a prolate ellipsoid tissue specimen 446. Otherembodiments of the invention may encapsulate tissue specimens ofcombinations of those disclosed or tissue specimens of other shapes.

While the encapsulation of a partial and full rotation tissue specimenshas been disclosed in the context of rotationally surrounding thespecimen with a sheath, other embodiments of the invention mayencapsulate these specimens by axially drawing the sheath over it.

Although presently preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understoodthat many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventiveconcepts herein taught, which may appear to those skilled in thepertinent art, will still fall within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for encapsulating a tissue specimenprior to withdrawal from a body, comprising: a. an elongated wandassembly having a longitudinal axis, an inner lumen extending therein,and a distal end; b. an active electrode on the distal end for enteringthe body; c. a tissue encapsulating sheath comprising a proximal portionconnected to the wand assembly, and a distal portion; and d. anelongated guide assembly which is slidably disposed within the wandassembly, which has a plurality of sheath deploying members configuredto be disposed about a tissue specimen and having proximal and distalends with the proximal ends connected to the distal portion of thesheath and a pull member secured to the distal ends of the sheathdeploying members so that tension on the pull member will pull thesheath deploying members and thereby pull the sheath about at least aportion of the tissue specimen, the tissue specimen being of a generallyrotational form.
 2. The encapsulating device of claim 1, wherein thesheath deploying members are configured to be disposed about a tissuespecimen having a generally spherical rotational form.
 3. Theencapsulated device of claim 1, wherein the sheath deploying members areconfigured to be disposed about a tissue specimen having a generallyellipsoidal rotational form.
 4. The encapsulating device of claim 1,wherein the sheath deploying members are configured to be disposed abouta tissue specimen having a plurality of surfaces.
 5. The encapsulateddevice of claim 1, wherein the sheath deploying members are configuredto be disposed about a tissue specimen that comprises a surface of apartial rotation.
 6. The encapsulating device of claim 1, wherein thesheath deploying members are configured to be disposed about a tissuespecimen that comprises a segment of a generally rotational form.
 7. Theencapsulating device of claim 1, wherein the sheath deploying membersare configured to be disposed about a tissue specimen that comprises agenerally eccentric rotational form.
 8. The encapsulating device ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated guide assembly is capable of moving thesheath distal portion in a longitudinal direction.
 9. The encapsulatingdevice of claim 1, wherein: a. the sheath extends from the proximalportion and terminates at the distal portion; and b. the sheath distalportion defines an opening in the sheath through which the elongatedwand assembly extends, wherein the opening has a diameter of at least amaximum cross section of the tissue specimen in a plane that isgenerally normal to the longitudinal axis.
 10. The encapsulating deviceof claim 9, wherein: a. the tissue specimen is positioned adjacent theelongated wand assembly; and b. the sheath is positioned about at leasta portion of the tissue specimen.
 11. The encapsulating device of claim9, wherein: a. the tissue specimen is positioned about the elongatedwand assembly; and b. the sheath is positioned about at least a portionof the tissue specimen.
 12. The encapsulated device of claim 9, whereinthe elongated guide assembly comprises at least a sheath deploymentmember having an attachment end and a deployment end, the attachment endbeing attached to the sheath distal portion, the sheath deploymentmember being arranged such that moving the sheath deployment memberdeployment end in the longitudinal direction results in the sheathdeployment member guiding the distal portion opening over the tissuespecimen.
 13. The encapsulating device of claim 12, wherein: a. theelongated wand assembly further comprises a shaft having a proximal end,and a midportion between said distal end and said proximal end, and; b.an orifice extending through the shaft to the lumen; c. the sheathproximal portion is attached to the shaft midportion; d. the sheathdistal portion is proximate to the midportion; and e. The sheathdeployment member extends through the orifice and into the lumen, thesheath deployment member having a first portion that extends in the wandassembly longitudinal direction from the attachment end to the shaftorifice, the sheath deployment member having a second portion thatextends from the orifice, into the lumen, and terminates at the sheathdeployment member deployment end, whereby moving the sheath deploymentmember deployment end in the wand assembly longitudinal direction andaway from the shaft distal end results in the sheath deployment memberdrawing the sheath distal portion opening from the shaft midportion andtoward the shaft distal end.
 14. The encapsulating device of claim 9,wherein: a. the elongated guide assembly comprises at least a sheathdeployment member having an attachment end and a deployment end, theattachment end being attached to the sheath distal portion; b. theelongated wand assembly comprises a shaft having a proximal end, amidportion between said distal end and said proximal end, and; c. theshaft distal section comprising an orifice extending through the shaftto the lumen; d. the sheath proximal portion is attached to the shaftmidportion; e. the sheath is positioned about at least a portion of thetissue specimen with the sheath distal portion being proximate to theshaft distal end; and f. the sheath deployment member extends throughthe orifice and into the lumen, the sheath deployment member having afirst portion that extends from the attachment end to the shaft orifice,the sheath deployment member having a second portion that extends fromthe attachment end to the shaft orifice, the sheath deployment memberhaving a second portion that extends from the orifice, into the lumen,and terminates at the sheath deployment member deployment end that isdisposed distally from the shaft distal end.
 15. The encapsulatingdevice of claim 14, wherein the tissue specimen is disposed proximate tothe elonagated wand assembly between the sheath first portion and theshaft distal end.
 16. The encapsulating device of claim 15, wherein thetissue specimen is disposed about the elongated wand assembly.
 17. Theencapsulated device of claim 15, wherein the tissue specimen is disposedadjacent the elongated wand assembly.
 18. The encapsulating device ofclaim 9, wherein: a. the elongated wand assembly comprises a shafthaving a proximal end, and an outside surface; b. the sheath proximaland distal portions are proximate to the shaft distal end; and c. thesheath deployment member is generally oriented in the wand assemblylongitudinal direction and proximate to shaft outside surface with thedeployment end extending toward the shaft proximal end.
 19. Theencapsulating device of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of thesheath is positioned in the lumen.
 20. The encapsulating device of claim19, wherein: a. the elongated wand assembly comprises a shaft having aproximal end and an outside surface; b. the tissue specimen is proximateto the elongated wand assembly; c. the sheath proximal portion isproximate to the shaft distal end; d. the sheath is disposed over thetissue specimen with the sheath distal portion located distal to theshaft distal end; and e. the sheath deployment member extends from thesheath second portion and away from the shaft distal end.
 21. Theencapsulating device of claim 20, wherein the tissue specimen isdisposed proximate to the elongated wand assembly and proximally to theshaft distal end.
 22. The encapsulating device of claim 20, wherein thetissue specimen is disposed about the elongated wand assembly.
 23. Theencapsulating device of claim 20, wherein the tissue specimen disposedadjacent the elongated wand assembly.
 24. The encapsulating device ofclaim 1, wherein the guide assembly is capable of positioning the sheathabout substantially all of the tissue specimen.
 25. A device forretrieving a tissue specimen from a body, the retrieving device havingan axis and comprising: a. a shaft with a lumen and a distal end adaptedfor entering the body; b. an active electrode on the shaft distal end;c. an elongated guide assembly which is slidably disposed within theshaft, which has a plurality of sheath deploying members configured tobe disposed about a tissue specimen and having proximal and distal endswith the proximal ends connected to the distal portion of the sheath anda pull member secured to the distal ends of the sheath deploying membersso that tension on the pull member will pull the sheath deployingmembers and thereby pull the sheath about at least a portion of thetissue specimen; and d. an encapsulation assembly comprising an axiallydisposed band that is actuable in a radial direction for at leastpartially covering the tissue specimen prior to retrieving the tissuespecimen from the body.
 26. The retrieving device of claim 25, whereinthe encapsulation assembly comprises a plurality of bands disposed alongthe device axis, the bands being actuatable in a radial direction.
 27. Adevice for retrieving a tissue specimen from within supporting tissue ina patient's body, comprising: a. an elongated shaft having proximal end,a longitudinal axis defining a radial direction, a distal portion and adistal end; b. an active electrode on the shaft distal end; c. anexpandable cutting member on the distal portion for separating a tissuespecimen from supporting tissue; and d. an encapsulation assemblycomprising a plurality of longitudinally disposed bands that areexpandable in a radial direction to surround the separated tissuespecimen for at least partially covering the tissue specimen with anencapsulating sheath prior to retrieving the tissue specimen from thebody.